FOOD FOR THOUGHT

WSOP Café is the new convenient and quick locale with a variety of new food debuting at the 2018 World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Located in the Miranda Ballroom of the Rio Convention Center adjacent to the tournament ballrooms -- the re-imagined temporary outlet added just for the WSOP -- the WSOP Café is offered to provide guests with a wide selection of choices, plus seating during breaks in action.

WSOP Café will feature both Grab-n’-Go options, as well as action stations in order to satisfy any particular cravings. For comfort, visitors will appreciate the re-vamped seating, with some phone charging stations built-in, along with additional seating on the outdoor patio, plus more scattered in convention center hallways.

Of course, the full complement of restaurants in the casino remain in play for WSOP guests, with several outlets offering WSOP special menus.

One of the most notable changes in store in 2018 are the rotational offerings -- an addition of several new menu items that will rotate through the WSOP Café on any given day to provide guests with more variety and options.

The popular Fresh Market Salad option is back on the menu, allowing guests to choose their own choice of greens, protein, toppings and dressing. In the Grab-and-Go section, four different salads will be in rotation, including daily staples Turkey Cobb, Southwest Honey and Chipotle Chicken salads, along with rotational items, the Mediterranean and Greek salads.

Other new offerings at WSOP Café include a Burrito Station, a BBQ Station and a Pho Noodles Station all rotating every three days with a slew of side dishes to complement the main meal. Additionally, famed French Boulangerie Patisserie La Tropezienne will supply a limited number of handmade sandwiches daily.

Popular items such as the Teriyaki Box, Burgers and Hot Dogs return, along with a new menu item – calzones – coming in three different flavors and in a convenient pouch to keep them warm and to take on the go with ease.

A Smoothie Station is back at the new WSOP Café, offering four different smoothies, plus a yogurt parfait.

Four different sandwich options will be rotated in the Grab-‘N-Go area of WSOP Café, with daily mainstays Italian Hero on Focaccia, Turkey on Croissant and Chicken BLT on Whole Wheat Hoagie, along with rotating sandwiches, a Tuna Salad on Croissant and a Roast Beef with Swiss on Panini. Plus the aforementioned La Tropezienne options.

Sushi, a popular item made fresh daily in-house, returns with expanded choice. Four different rolls will be rotated, including three daily staples, the California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll and Veggie Roll, with a Philly Roll and a Shrimp Tempura Roll being rotated into the mix.

A variety of packaged snacks, mints, candy and beverages remain part of the offering, with whole fruit and a sliced fruit cup available as well.

Throughout the tournament hallways, several stations will be placed for guests to quickly and conveniently grab many of the above options (sans the Action Stations) during breaks of play. The popular Hot Dog Cart, which sold more than 16,000 wieners last year, returns to the Pavilion tournament room, with hot dogs – along with a new addition – bratwurst joining the frankfurter fray.

The hours of operation for the WSOP Café will be 7 days a week, with service beginning one hour before tournament play begins each day and staying open until 2am. (Note: Hot food service ends at approximately midnight each day). The hallway stations will operate from 12 noon to 8pm daily.

Once guests leave the Rio Convention Center, the Rio Hotel & Casino has a bevy of options to satiate appetites and quench thirsts.

New to the scene in 2018 is:

Guy Fieri’s Taco Shack: Between the pool entrance and Guy Fieri’s sit-down restaurant, a new Taco Bar is open for guests to place to go orders for tacos. Hours of Operation: 11am to 4pm

WSOP-specific special Grab-and-Go offerings:

Hash House A Go Go: For players looking for a quick bite on their way to play in the morning, this popular Vegas institution in the main hallway on the way to the playing area has created a few WSOP specials. Steal Cut Oats with raisins and brown sugar for $6.99. A breakfast burrito for $9.99 with eggs, cheddar cheese, house potatoes, spicy aioli and your choice of bacon or sausage. Or cold cereal for $3.99 with choice of Frosted Flakes, Fruit Loops or Cheerios. For the lunch crowd, a Chili Cheese Dog can be taken on the go for $9.99.

Sports Deli: Three special combos have been put together for WSOP players, to get a meal quickly. Combo #1 is a Cheeseburger with fries and a choice of milk shake or fountain drink for $11.50. Combo #2 is a specialty burger with fries and a choice of milk shake or fountain drink for $15.50. Combo #3 is any slice of pizza and a fountain drink for $6.50. Add a slice for just $3.00 more.

All-American Bar & Grille: Three quick grab-and-go options have been created at AAB&G as well for players wanting to take something with them before or after play at the WSOP. The menu to go includes: a Cheeseburger; The Half Grinder, featuring Mortadella, salami, ham, tomato spread and lettuce and The Half Caprese, with fresh mozzarella, pesto, tomato spread and lettuce. All these items are just $6.99 and available for takeout only.

Existing sit-down restaurants available for guests include:

All-American Bar & Grille -- All-American fare with choice seating in the dining room or the sports bar. Hours of Operation: 11am to Midnight. Fri-Sat. 9am to 1am. Located in the main casino.

Guy Fieri’s El Burro Borracho – A Mexican-inspired restaurant from famed chef Guy Fieri. Hours of Operation: 4pm to 10pm. Located near the pool, just before entering the casino from the convention area.

Hash House A Go Go – One of Sin City’s favorite eateries known for its creative offerings and oversize portions. Hours of Operation: 6am to 1pm Mon-Fri. 6am to 3pm Sat-Sun. Located in the main corridor on the way to the casino from conventioncenter.

Carnival World Buffet – One of the most impressive buffets in Las Vegas with more than 300 dishes prepared fresh daily. Hours of Operation: 11am to 10pm Mon-Fri. Brunch 8am to 3pm Sat-Sun. Located in the casino area on the far right near surface parking area.

KJ Dim Sum & Seafood – Providing guests signature fresh selection of seafood, prepared by a team of chefs trained in the tradition of authentic Chinese cuisine. Of course, dim sum with a tableside cart are customary. Hours of Operation: 10am to 2am. Located in the main casino opposite the buffet.

Royal India Bistro – Spice up your dining experience with authentic North Indian cuisine. Hours of Operation: 11am to 3pm lunch buffet. Happy Hour 3-5pm. Dinner: 5pm-10:30pm. Located on the left side of the casino just before Masquerade Village.

VooDoo Steak – Known for its breathtaking views, located on the 50th floor of the hotel. Hours of Operation: 5pm to 11pm. Located in Masquerade Village.

Wine Cellar & Tasting Room – Featuring Las Vegas’ most impressive wine collection, the wine bar is a great one-of-a-kind experience offering more than 100 wines by the glass. Hours of Operation: 4pm to 11pm Mon-Thurs. 3pm-11pm Fri-Sat. 3pm-10pm Sun. Located in the Masquerade Village.

Sports Deli – Race and Sports fans enjoy watching the action while dining in an upscale deli featuring traditional American favorites. Hours of Operation: 9am to 4am. Located next to the sports book.

Pho Da Nang Vietnamese Kitchen – A fresh selection of authentic Vietnamese cuisine at a sensible price. Hours of Operation: 11am to 1am. Located in the main casino near the sports book and Sports Deli.

Smashburger – The popular burger chain is located in Masquerade Village offering handcrafted burgers that are smashed, seared and seasoned to order, using fresh, never frozen 100% Certified Angus Beef®. Hours of Operation: 8am to 4am.

Wetzel’s Pretzels – Hand Held Happiness. Pretzels and more using the finest ingredients into innovative deliciousness so you can grab a little happiness. Hours of Operation: 10am to 1am. Located in Masquerade Village.

Starbucks – Two locations to get your coffee beverage fix. One located just past the convention center on the way to the hotel, with another located in the casino. Hours of Operation: Convention Center Location: 6:30am to 10pm. Casino location (between Main Casino Cage and All-American Bar & Grille): Open 24 hours a day.

In-Suite Dining – For guests of the Rio Hotel, in-suite dining is an option for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is available 5am to 11am daily. Dinner is offered from 5pm to 11pm Monday-Thursday and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Also returning in 2018 will be the All-American Dave Food Truck. Dave and his team will remain located in the back of the Amazon Ballroom loading dock area, where players can order directly from the truck, or arrange for tableside delivery service. Dave offers healthy meal and drink options with a daily rotating menu.

Lastly, the King’s Lounge returns to the Pavilion Room for high stakes action. Complimentary food service will be provided for those playing in games, including a planned nightly buffet along with food drops throughout the day. Additionally, players will have an option to purchase from a room service-like menu. Players should see the room host to get specifics.

About the author: The World Series of Poker's official website, WSOP.com has been under its parent company's editorial control since October, 2009, when Seth Palansky became the website's first Editor-In-Chief.

Palansky, who had been with the WSOP's parent company, Caesars Interactive Entertainment, Inc. (CIE) since its inception in May, 2009, took over the reins of the website from previous editorial provider, Bluff Magazine, who managed the site from 2006-2009.

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